Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-10-28
the SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes On the Lesson for October
23-"Three Miracles"
rrro,n the Chicago Standard

The lesson TOT the aUoNe ua.o may W
found in the ninth chapter OF Matthew.
verses, inclusive. Time, A. d. %. Place.
Capernaum.
| CRITICISM AND EXPLANATION.
V. is. These things. The truths spoken
during the feast at Matthew's house. and
! recorded IN the preceding verses OF this
chapter. There came. Into the presence
of Jesus while he was yet speaking to the
Pharisees and the disciples of John. "A
certain ruler. One of the rulers OF the
synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark D: ~.
Worsh,ped him. Bowed down before him
in expression of profound respect. Erem
nop dead. Luke says she was dying.
and Mark speaks of her rs being at the
point of deatn;" but Matthew condenses
the narrative so as to present at the outset
what was actually true before Jesus reached
the home of Jairus. Come and lay thy
hand. Thus showing tile rulers confidence
in Christs healing power, but indicating q
smaller measure of faith than that Of tho
centurion, who believed his servant could
be healed by word only" even though
such word were spoken by Jesus when dis
Matthew S:8.
v. 10. Arose and follored. Responded
Immediately to the entreaty of Jairus, by
rising from the table and starting for the
ruler 8 house. Observe again how quickly
Jesus responded 10 the cry of a believing
soul. and how willingly He withdrew him.
self from social enjoyment in order to min
lister relief to others who were in anxiety
and distress.
v. 20. A ar0n,dn. One who, for twelve
years, had been afflicted with an aggravat-
ed, wasting, and incurable disease. Her
unavailing efforts to secure healing y hu-
| 1oocriho6 in Mark Dc
Came behind him. Choosing this method
Of approach perhaps because of her timidi-
ty, or from reluctance to have public at
tention called to her peculiar affection.
Hem. The border, or fringed edge of the
Savior's garment.
V. 2l. If / may bat touch. Or, if only
touch. This silently cherished conclusion
was an evidence of her faith, which, how
ever invisible it was to others, was never
theless recognized by Jesus, and by him was
promptly and silently rewarded. Whole.
| Delivered from disease, and restored to
health.
V. %. Jesus turned. Although the
touch had been unobserved by others,
Jesus doubtless deemed it best that her
faith and his power should both receive
recognition. BE of good comfort. Thus
Jesus quiets her fears. and encourages her
public confession Of faith. Hath made
hee whole. Literally hath saved thee.
Her faith had accomplished her complete
recovery, because it had led her to apply to
the divine healer. From that hour. Thus
quickly does Jesus answer, not only the
cry of faith but also the touch of faith.
Observe, that it is not the quantity of
faiths outward expression that saves. The
slightest touch may unlock the treasures of
redeeming grace.
v. %. Miustrcls. In his Commentary
on Matthew, DIR. Broadus says: at was,
and still is, an Oriental custom for the rel
atives and immediate friends of dying
person to gather round the couch. and the
moment the breath ceased, to break out
into loud cries with every exclamation and
able to continue this themselves, they
would hire professional mourners, who
would keep up the loud wailing cry
throughout the day and night. Persons of
wealth might afford to hire musicians also;
and Jarus being man of consideration,
we find that the tute-players have arrived,
and although but few minutes after the
child's decease, already there is crowd
present, making tumultuous noise of
lamentation."
V. "a. Not dead, bit sleepeth. Not to
remain dead. Jesus here speaks, not as to
the actual state of the case, but III reference
to the purpose He has in view of causing
the child to rise, as one risen out of sleep.
See, also, John ri: II. Hence there was NO
occasion for wailing and lamentations; and
the crowd are invited to 'give place." i. o.,
withdraw, and maze room for Jesus. OBJ
serve, that Christ's indweljing presence W IL
rob death Of all its gloom and terror.
Laughed Him to scorn. Treated His state
ment as ridiculous. AS this was Christ
first miracle of raising the dead to life,
these attendants were utterly unprepared
for what was to follow.
VS.. Is, 26. The maid arose. In response
to the divine touch and bidding. See also
Mark S: Al. According to Jewish law,
touching dead body would make person
ceremonally unclean; but in this case Jesus
imparts cleansing to another, and receives
no contamination himself. No wonder that
his fame went abroad throughout all the
land.
VS.. 81, 90. Fouored him. Went along
behind Jesus, as he passed the place where
they had been sitting. Haze mercy. Or,
have pity. Son of Darid. This was the
well-known title OF the promised Messiah;
and by using it these blind men declared
their belief that Jesus himself was the full
fllment of the promise.
V. 20. According to your faith. Not &C.
cording to forms of speech made use of.
Again observe, that the communication of
OlVlne power is the inevitable result OF
genuine faith.
v. 80. See that no man k,,ou. To pro-
claim their belief in Jesus as the Messiah
! would be to excite unnecessary opposition.
So they were not only charged not to pub
lish the fact. but straitly charged, because
no doubt similar instructions previously
given to others had been disregarded.
V. 81. Spread abroad His tume. Christ's
injunctons are again disregarded. 10 re-
frain from such testimony was no doubt q
difficult task; yet it would have been bette,
for them to have followed Christ's direc-
tons closely. The best way to honor Christ
is to obey him.
PRACTICAL HINTS TO TEACHERS.
l. The three miracles recorded in this
lesson show how coming to Jesus may be
prompted by parental grief and personal
suffering. Many persons will have reason
to thank God In the other world for the
. very things that have wrung their hearts in